Spring Top Sewalong

This is a first for me.. I have seen and voted on tops in Made by Rae's Spring Top Sewalong, but I am a little timid when it comes to competitions. When I read Rae's announcement, about this year's STS being more of a true 'sewalong', having no judges and no winners, I immediately committed to join in!
I'd already sewn the two tops in that pervious post.. and according to the rules I can enter them too.. but this one. This is the one!
I NEEDED to make this one!

It started with a sketch..
I chose my Option 2.
Got down to business.
And the next day I had a top!

and I LOVE it!!!!!

The Pattern: Why... it's my STAPLE DRESS PATTERN!!! What?! Yeah. It really is.
(Are you tired of it yet?)
This one is cut exactly the same just shortened to a tunic/long t-shirt length. The original pattern is roomy enough and has a wide (almost boat neck) neck opening that I was able to add the pintucks straight down the front without adding any width to the pattern piece. I then added a small box pleat to the back neckline, to balance the difference. I drafted the collar from another free pattern I had on hand, greatly lengthened it and completely altered the shape of the points.

The Fabric: Solid Designer Voile from Freespirit.. not certain of the color. I purchased it last year and it's been sitting in my stash for sometime now. Don't even remember why I bought it. I know I must've had a plan to buy as much as I did... but I can't imagine a better use than this!

I'm literally so in love with it. I NEED to make another. VERY SOON! not only that, but I promised some of you that I'd offer this variation as a free tutorial...
That was before thinking about the fact that I took zero photos of the collar attachment process.... guess I'll just have to make another! ;)

Now, I'm debating whether I'll try the next one in a print or go with another solid... The voile is the perfect weight. I can leave it long to wear out and belted or tuck it in. It's so thin it doesn't result in any unattractive bunching under my goofy new high rise jeans!

Once again, the photos here are by Suzanne Gipson. She is such an amazing photographer and friend. Just makes a girl feel good! You know what I mean?

>>----♥---->

             April

Are you sewing a Spring Top? YOU SHOULD!!!!

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THE WINNER OF THE COLLAGE LAYER CAKE IS:

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11

Timestamp: 2013-04-12 04:43:19 UTC

MARTINA!

she said:

stufenzumgericht said...

The Stapel Dress fits very well to this beautiful fabric line! By the way, I'm sewing the dress at the moment and have to say, that it's pure fun! Martina

April 11, 2013 at 10:24 AM

Thank you Martina!! and thank you all for you comments and for hoping along with the COLLAGE party! Remeber to keep following the other crafter's. They are sharing incredible projects and giving away more layer cakes!

possible cover...

I think I'm going to keep it real simple. I just took this shot into photoshop and put some type on it.. 

I pretty much love it.

but won't be getting too attached.. there are SOO many shots to choose from.. I can't say which will be the one yet... but it'll keep this flavor..

Also I added a pattern tad up top there ^

Eeeeeek!!!

little sleep, lots of progress

Well.... I missed my first deadline, this past Thursday, the instructions are still in the works.
They have been much more time consuming to compose than I expected. I have had them written in my little note book for so long, but now putting it all together and making it make sense for others to read is overwhelming me. I've been up till 4am more than once this week...
but I am getting close now.. real close.

Actually I was a big bundle of nerves about that and about my upcoming cover shoot when I first started writing this little update (late last night).. but tonight I am a big bundle of excitement!!

I had the shoot today with Suzanne and my last minute savior of a model Mary.

Between the three of us and the amazing space it all blew my expectations out of the water! I haven't even seen the final photos yet and I know they are beyond my wildest dreams.
Speaking of dreams... it's still happening, my dreams.. they are becoming less and less my dreams and more and more my reality.

And just as I am typing Suzanne is emailing me sneak peeks from our shoot.
{then it all starts to make me cry}

^ I took this one of my amazing team! 

I am still overwhelmed but in a very happy way....

I am blessed.

I can't wait to show it all.
>>----♥----}>
    April

photography by SUZANNE GIPSON